January 23, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) was removed from Friday's final injury report and is set to take on the division-rival Los Angeles Rams for the third time this year in Sunday's NFC Championship game. Darnold tweaked his oblique in practice last Thursday and was questionable for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The 28-year-old ended up playing and going 12-for-17 passing for 124 yards with one touchdown in the 41-6 blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks didn't really need Darnold to do much, but that probably won't be the case this weekend against a Rams offense that scored a league-high 30.5 points per game. In the two previous games against L.A. this year, Darnold threw for 549 yards and two touchdowns on 78 total attempts, but he also threw six total interceptions. The volume should be there for Darnold on Sunday, but he'll need to take care of the football if Seattle wants to advance to the Super Bowl.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
January 23, 2026
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (ankle) won't play on Friday night against the Dallas Stars. Holloway recently returned from a high-ankle sprain, but he landed back on the shelf after making just one appearance. Friday's game will be his second consecutive absence. The 24-year-old has returned to St. Louis for a precautionary MRI and is considered day-to-day. Holloway has taken a big step backwards this season, recording only 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 34 games. With Holloway unavailable, Jonatan Berggren has moved to the first line. The Blues' attack will also have Mathieu Joseph (elbow) back from a seven-game absence on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) will miss Friday's clash against the Philadelphia Flyers. He sustained a lower-body injury during Wednesday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks and is considered day-to-day. Friday's game will mark Colton's first absence of the season. He has tallied 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 48 contests. Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is ready to return from a 10-game absence and will fill in for Colton on Friday. The Finnish forward is having a disappointing season and shouldn't draw fantasy interest. Colton's first chance to return will be on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (upper body) will return to the lineup on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. He has been cleared to play after missing three months due to an upper-body injury. Chytil had three goals in six games at the start of the season before being hurt against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 19. The 26-year-old will slot into the second line, joining Drew O'Connor and Brock Boeser. Chytil will also hop on the second power-play unit. Earlier this week, the Canucks welcomed back another long-term absentee in Teddy Blueger, and their center depth is expected to get another boost soon with Marco Rossi's (lower body) return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Denver Broncos running back
J.K. Dobbins (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots and will remain on Injured Reserve, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. The Broncos opened Dobbins' 21-day practice window this week, and he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. While the 27-year-old is making progress from a Lisfranc foot injury that he suffered in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders, he's just not at the point where the Broncos are comfortable putting him back into a game, especially with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. With Dobbins out, rookie
RJ Harvey should handle most of the backfield work against New England, with
Jaleel McLaughlin and
Tyler Badie working in complementary roles. If Denver advances to the Super Bowl, Dobbins should be ready to return with an extra two weeks to recover.
--Keith HernandezSource: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
January 23, 2026
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (upper body) will miss a second straight game on Friday against the Seattle Kraken. Due to an upper-body injury, McTavish was a late scratch on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Unfortunately, he will be out for another game on Friday night and is likely to miss more time after traveling back to Anaheim while the team continues its five-game road trip. However, Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville is optimistic that McTavish can return to action at some point during the trip. With Leo Carlsson (thigh) also out, the Ducks are currently without their top two centers. Mikael Granlund and Jansen Harkins are expected to center the scoring lines against Seattle.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (upper body) will make his long-awaited comeback in Friday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. He hasn't played since Nov. 11, missing over two months due to an upper-body injury. In 13 outings, Stolarz has posted a 6-5-1 record this season. He hasn't been anywhere near his best form, allowing 3.51 goals with a .884 save percentage. To make a winning return, Stolarz must contain the NHL's sixth-best offense on Friday night. Vegas has an outstanding power play, helping the team average 3.33 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) will be in action on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Initially, it was uncertain whether Ekman-Larsson would be available after he exited Wednesday's loss to Detroit early due to a lower-body injury. The Swedish veteran was in danger of missing his first game of the season. Ekman-Larsson has recorded 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists), 72 shots, 41 blocks, and 62 hits in 50 appearances. He's already surpassed his offensive output from last season and is on pace to record a second 50-point year in his career.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 23, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers will be a free agent in March, and the expectation is that he will not return to the Steel City after long-time head coach Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 seasons with the organization. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero believes that if Rodgers does decide to come back to play for a new Steelers head coach, it would be former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who is a native of Pittsburgh. The Steelers are open to the future Hall of Fame QB returning for another year in 2026, but they wouldn't be hiring McCarthy specifically to lure Rodgers back after he led the team to the postseason in 2025. Pittsburgh's ownership isn't interested in rebuilding, so hiring a veteran coach like McCarthy to lead a veteran roster would make a lot of sense. Retirement is very much on the table for Rodgers this offseason, but if the Steelers hire McCarthy as their next head coach, it could push the 42-year-old to return for one last rodeo.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 23, 2026
The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes that the Miami Dolphins "almost assuredly" will release wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) before mid-March. Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 and is due to make $29.9 million in 2026. However, none of that money is guaranteed until mid-March, when $11 million of it becomes guaranteed if he's on the team, in addition to a $5 million roster bonus. His contract carries a $51.9 million salary cap hit, so even if he wasn't injured, Hill wouldn't have returned to Miami on that deal. If the speedy wideout is released, as expected, his 2026 cap hit would drop from $51.9 million to $28.2 million. If he's cut after June 1, the team's cap hit would be just $15.9 million. Hill is entering his age-32 season in 2026, and after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee, his trademark speed could be affected going forward. Ultimately, his fantasy stock will depend on where he's playing next season, but his arrow is definitely pointing down.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Herald - Barry Jackson
January 23, 2026
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen), who is still on Injured Reserve, will be questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the hosting Denver Broncos, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Hollins was originally placed on IR back on Dec. 27, and he returned to practice for the first time on Thursday in a limited session. The 32-year-old must be officially activated from IR by Saturday if the Patriots want him active on Sunday. If he returns, he'll merely be a dart throw in fantasy football playoff leagues after his long layoff. During the regular season in his first year with New England, Hollins was a deep threat for quarterback
Drake Maye, catching 46 of 65 targets for 550 yards and two touchdowns. We wouldn't recommend Hollins as a sleeper this weekend in Denver if he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
January 23, 2026
Free-agent right-hander
Aaron Sanchez won the Dominican Winter League's Pitcher of the Year award and is attracting interest from MLB teams, league sources told Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. In his eight starts over 46 1/3 innings in the Dominican league, Sanchez had a shiny 1.55 ERA. The 33-year-old veteran sat out last season and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. Sanchez came up as a top prospect and is best known for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was an All-Star in 2016, when he went 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA. Injuries (mostly blister issues) got the best of him from 2017 to 2022, though, and he had a bloated 5.29 ERA in that span. At Triple-A Buffalo in 2024, Sanchez was even worse with a 7.92 ERA in 61 1/3 innings. His impressive work this winter came in a small sample size, but it could be enough to give him another shot on an MLB roster in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 23, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Keon Coleman had a rough year in 2025, recording 38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns on 59 targets across 13 games played. Despite his team desperately needing pass-catching help for much of the season, the 22-year-old was a healthy scratch for multiple games and had his maturity called into question by team officials. The Bills moved on from long-time head coach Sean McDermott after losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. McDermott's firing could mean a fresh start for Coleman with a new coaching staff, which could work to his benefit. However, Buffalo retained general manager Brandon Beane, and Bills owner Terry Pegula recently insinuated that Coleman's selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was more McDermott's call than Beane's. Depending on how Buffalo addresses the wide receiver position during the offseason, Coleman's status with the Bills could be in question heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
New York Mets outfield prospect
Carson Benge is already in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at the team's spring training complex after spending some time during the offseason hitting with the Holliday family at Oklahoma State, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Benge is the Mets' top position-player prospect, and the Mets never seriously considered moving him in trade conversations for right-hander
Freddy Peralta, according to league sources. The 23-year-old was the 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State, and the Mets clearly think highly of him. President of baseball operations David Stearns has expressed interest in allowing Benge to crack the Opening Day roster out of spring training. Benge slashed .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 steals at three minor-league levels in 2025. He has a chance to start in center field, but even if he doesn't, Benge could be a left-handed platoon option in a corner-outfield spot.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 23, 2026
To this point in his career, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson has spent all eight of his NFL seasons playing for head coach John Harbaugh. However, that is set to change in 2026. Baltimore parted ways with Harbaugh at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, and the team recently announced the hiring of former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. With 2025 Ravens play-caller Todd Monken likely to follow Harbaugh to his new gig as the head coach of the New York Giants, Jackson appears likely to be working with his fourth different offensive coordinator since the start of his time with Baltimore. After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Jackson battled through injuries in a relative down year in 2025. Even still, the 29-year-old averaged over eight yards per pass attempt while rushing for 349 yards and two scores. Jackson may be rejuvenated by a change of leadership in Baltimore, and he remains a high-end quarterback option for fantasy managers heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
By his own lofty standards, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Puka Nacua was held in check by the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round, hauling in just five catches for 56 yards on 10 targets. Things may not get any easier for Nacua in the NFC Championship Game, as he will face one of the best pass defenses in the NFL in the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle finished the regular season ranked first in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and fifth in interceptions (18). Still, Nacua remains an elite wide receiver option for fantasy managers. Dating back to the regular season, the 24-year-old has earned double-digit targets in seven straight contests, recording seven touchdowns in that span. Nacua also had success in the regular season against Seattle, recording a combined 19 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns on 24 targets across two matchups. Even against a tough opponent, Nacua carries high-end upside at the wide receiver position. heading into the NFC Championship Game.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
In snowy conditions in last week's Divisional Round win over the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams was quiet, catching only two of his six targets for 24 yards. The week prior in the Wild-Card victory over the Carolina Panthers, the 33-year-old veteran caught five of a season-high 13 targets for 72 yards. Adams hasn't exactly been a beast for fantasy managers in two playoff games, but we must remember that he missed the final three regular-season games due to a balky hamstring. He was briefly examined in the medical tent against the Bears, but he returned to the game. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wideout had a league-high 14 touchdown catches in 14 regular-season games, but he has only seen double-digit targets in three of 16 games this year. Adams will still be a top-five fantasy WR this weekend, but teammate
Puka Nacua definitely has more upside and a higher floor.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 23, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks activated rookie tight end
Elijah Arroyo (knee) from Injured Reserve ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Arroyo missed the last five games due to a knee injury, but he now has a chance to return for this weekend's game against the Rams, where he'll most likely serve in a backup role to
AJ Barner. The 22-year-old second-rounder only caught 15 passes on 26 targets for 179 yards and one touchdown in his first 13 NFL games during the regular season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Arroyo to have a big role on Sunday if he suits up. Arroyo's lone touchdown of his rookie campaign came in the Nov. 2 win over the Washington Commanders, when he caught both of his targets for 29 yards. Arroyo's best game was a four-catch, 42-yard performance on Oct. 20 versus the Texans.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 23, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks activated running back
George Holani (hamstring) from Injured Reserve on Friday ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship game versus the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Holani originally landed on IR on Nov. 29, but after practicing in full on Wednesday and Thursday, he's trending in the right direction to be active for this weekend's big game. It's great timing for the 26-year-old, too, as he could operate as Seattle's RB2 behind starter
Kenneth Walker III if he's active after
Zach Charbonnet (knee) tore his ACL in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. Even though Holani is trending up going into the NFC Championship, he won't be recommended for starting lineups in playoff leagues if he suits up. Holani last played on Nov 23, and he had 22 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown in his 11 regular-season games in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 23, 2026
New York Mets starting pitcher
Kodai Senga is expected to open the regular season in the big-league rotation, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. "I certainly expect Kodai to be a member of our rotation," Stearns told team reporter Andy Martino during an interview on the Mets' YouTube channel. "He's had a really strong offseason." The Mets believe that Senga is in great shape and should earn a spot in the starting rotation following spring training. That's a shift in the narrative from last fall, when the Mets sent Senga to Triple-A, and rumors swirled about a potential offseason trade. The right-hander pitched to a dominant 2.98 ERA and 3.4 fWAR during his first season stateside in 2023, and while his ERA was similar last year, his xFIP soared to 4.35. He also posted 8.66 K/9, 4.37 BB/9, and a 46.6% ground ball rate across 22 starts in 2025. It's worth noting that Stearns' comments about Senga joining the rotation were made right before the Mets acquired
Freddy Peralta. However, Senga still has a strong chance to crack the Opening Day roster, especially if New York opens the year with a six-man rotation.
--Andersen PickardSource: New York Mets
January 23, 2026
Paddy Pimblett is scheduled to face off against former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324 on Saturday. The last time Pimblett suffered a loss was back in 2018, but since then, Pimblett has won nine fights in a row. Since signing with the UFC in 2021, Pimblett has gone 7-0. He was last seen in action at UFC 314, where he extended his win streak by defeating former title challenger and former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler via third-round TKO. DraftKings sees Pimblett as the favorite with a salary of $8,900.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 23, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers are "involved on" free-agent catcher
Reese McGuire, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Cotillo opened his report by saying that McGuire would be heading somewhere other than the Red Sox, and he proceeded to identify the Brewers as a potential landing spot. As a result, the two sides could be working toward a deal, but nothing is finalized yet. McGuire spent last season with the Chicago Cubs, splitting time between the majors and Triple-A. Through 45 games at the big-league level, he slashed .226/.245/.444 with a 2.9% walk rate, 19.3% strikeout rate, and 86 wRC+. He launched a career-high nine home runs, but his .355 xSLG indicates that he's due for some major power regression. McGuire's offense has plateaued into nothing special as he reaches his early thirties, but his defense behind the plate remains serviceable, at the very least. In 2025, he posted 2.6 framing runs while throwing out eight of 31 base-stealers.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Cotillo
January 23, 2026
Teams have expressed interest in trading for Washington Nationals outfielder
Jacob Young, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. However, it's unclear whether Washington has a desire to trade him at this time. Young, 26, is a plus defender in center field with four years remaining under team control. He made 112 appearances (901.1 innings) in the outfield last year and didn't commit a single error. While the glovework is impressive, defense can be tougher to project long-term, and the Nationals' new front office might feel less inclined to hold onto a glove-first outfielder from the previous regime. Young's offensive output is nothing special, as he slashed just .231/.296/.287 with two home runs, 15 stolen bases, a 7.4% walk rate, a 17.9% strikeout rate, and a 66 wRC+ last year. He finished the campaign with -14.5 fWAR at the plate, 12.2 fWAR in the field, and 1.0 fWAR overall. Rosenthal notes that the new front office believes the entire outfield can improve offensively and defensively under the new coaching staff, but he also hints at a potential outfield logjam with
Robert Hassell III in the mix for a 26-man roster spot alongside
Dylan Crews,
Daylen Lile, and
James Wood. As a result, we wouldn't be surprised if Young becomes the odd man out.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 23, 2026
Former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will look to win back-to-back fights when he takes on Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324 on Saturday. Back in A[ril 2024 at UFC 300, Gaethje suffered a devastating last-second knockout to former featherweight champion Max Holloway, but Gaethje managed to bounce back in his last fight at UFC 313 by defeating Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision. DraftKings sees Gaethje as the underdog with a salary of $7,300.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 23, 2026
Surging bantamweight contender Song Yadong will look to win back-to-back fights when he faces off against former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley in the co-main event of UFC 324 on Saturday. Yadong was last seen in action in February 2025 at UFC Seattle, where he returned to the win column by defeating former two-division champion Henry Cejudo via technical decision. DraftKings sees Yadong as the underdog with a salary of $7,400.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 23, 2026
The Chicago White Sox have signed free agent reliever
Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. The deal includes a mutual option for 2028. The White Sox recently traded away outfielder
Luis Robert Jr., and now, they're allocating that extra money to bolster their bullpen. Dominguez is a 31-year-old right-hander who split the 2025 season between Baltimore and Toronto. He posted a solid 3.23 xFIP with 11.4 K/9, but his walk rate soared to a career-high clip of 5.2 BB/9. There's a lot to like about his repertoire, though. Dominguez's sweeper grades out at 130 Stuff+ by FanGraphs' model, and it generated whiffs at a phenomenal 49.1% clip with a .112 xBA. His splitter is similarly dominant with 118 Stuff+, a 49.5% whiff rate, and a .141 xBA. Dominguez offers an analytically intriguing arm out of the White Sox' bullpen, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that he's expected to be the team's closer. He will be a key piece for the White Sox down the stretch if they end up playing competitive baseball in 2026. If not, he'll be an intriguing name to monitor at the trade deadline with a year and a half left on his contract.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 23, 2026
This Saturday, former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley will look to get back in the win column when he takes on surging bantamweight Song Yadong in the co-main event of UFC 324 on Saturday. Back in September 2024 at UFC 306, O'Malley lost the bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili after getting dominated for the majority of the fight. O'Malley and Dvalishvili had a rematch in June 2025 at UFC 316, only this time, O'Malley suffered a third-round submission loss. DraftKings sees O'Malley as the favorite with a salary of $8,800.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 23, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Brandon Clarke (fingers) recently underwent surgery to address poor circulation in his fingers, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As a result, he won't have a normal workload when spring training begins next month. According to Goold, Clarke dealt with blisters and finger numbness throughout the 2025 season -- his first year in affiliated ball -- due to an aneurysm in his left arm. The operation should alleviate those issues going forward, but it'll set him back a little bit to open spring camp. The 22-year-old pitching prospect was shipped from Boston to St. Louis in this offseason's
Sonny Gray trade. The 2024 fifth-round pick spent most of last season at High-A, posting a 3.87 xFIP, 14.2 K/9, and 6.4 BB/9. He excelled in minimizing loud contact, as he allowed zero homers through 38 innings and maintained an impressive 63.9% ground ball rate. FanGraphs assigned a 50 grade to his future value, and they list him as having a 60-grade fastball and 70-grade slider.
--Andersen PickardSource: Derrick Goold
January 23, 2026
Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis will look for his third consecutive win when he faces off against Waldo Cortes-Acosta on the main card of UFC 324 on Saturday. A veteran of the sport, Lewis has fought for the leading promotion 30 times, and he's gone 20-10 since signing with the UFC back in 2014. Lewis was last seen in action in July 2025 at UFC Nashville, where he delivered Tallison Teixeira his first loss and scored a first-round TKO victory. DraftKings sees Lewis as a big underdog with a salary of $7,000.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 23, 2026
After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta was traded to the New York Mets ahead of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old is coming off arguably his best showing in 2025, posting a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts across 176 2/3 innings (33 starts) with Milwaukee. Peralta has now logged three consecutive 200-strikeout seasons and held opposing hitters to a .191 batting average in 2025. With the Mets, Peralta profiles as the team's ace and should be highly motivated as he prepares to hit free agency following 2026. It's hard to say that Peralta is in a better position to rack up wins in New York, given that the Brewers won a National League-best 97 games last season. However, the Mets should be a highly competitive team, and Citi Field is traditionally one of the more favorable home parks for pitchers. Peralta remains a borderline fantasy SP1 heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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